The state's position at the crossroads of I-76, I-80, and I-95 makes it a natural hub for open-deck freight moving between the Northeast, the Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic manufacturing centers. But that strategic advantage comes with a catch.
Shippers here often struggle to find flatbed carriers with the right trailer types, safety standards, and available capacity, especially as driver shortages continue to squeeze the market. This guide breaks down the top 10 flatbed trucking companies serving Pennsylvania and what to look for when choosing the right one for your freight.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania's steel, energy, and construction sectors make it one of the Northeast's busiest flatbed markets.
- The top 10 list mixes PA-headquartered carriers with national carriers running dense PA lanes.
- Fleet variety, safety record, and PA terminal coverage matter more than company size.
- Freight brokers offer an alternative path to capacity when single carriers fall short.
Overview of Flatbed Trucking in Pennsylvania's Freight Market
Flatbed trucking moves freight that can't go inside an enclosed trailer — steel coils, machinery, and construction materials that need to be loaded from the top or sides.
That makes it essential to Pennsylvania's industrial economy. PennDOT projects truck freight tonnage in the state will grow 51% between 2018 and 2045, with value climbing even faster at 80% over the same period, according to the 2045 Freight Movement Plan. Base metals and nonmetallic minerals rank among the fastest-growing truck commodity categories.
Energy freight adds another layer. Pennsylvania produced 7.4 trillion cubic feet of marketed natural gas in 2024, roughly one-fifth of total US output, according to the US Energy Information Administration. This level of Marcellus Shale activity requires carriers who know oilfield equipment, permitting, and heavy-haul logistics.
Location adds another advantage. Pennsylvania sits within easy reach of New York and New Jersey ports, the Ohio Valley's manufacturing base, and the broader Mid-Atlantic corridor. That combination of industrial density and highway access is exactly why so many flatbed carriers build a presence here.
The following list highlights ten carriers actively serving Pennsylvania shippers, selected based on PA lane density, fleet size, trailer variety, and safety reputation.
Top 10 Flatbed Trucking Companies in Pennsylvania
Each carrier below was chosen based on regional presence, equipment mix, and industry standing, not just revenue or fleet size alone.
PGT Trucking Inc.
Headquartered in Aliquippa, PA, PGT Trucking has served the flatbed and specialized freight market since 1981 under PGT Holdings. Its deep roots in Western Pennsylvania, paired with a large fleet of open-deck and specialized trailers, make it a natural fit for heavy and oversized freight moving through the state's steel corridor.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters & Founded | Aliquippa, PA; founded 1981 |
| Fleet & Trailer Types | 1,000+ power units and 1,500+ trailers, including flatbeds, RGNs, step decks, and Conestogas |
| Core Services | Flatbed, specialized, project cargo, dedicated |
Beemac Trucking
Beemac is an employee-owned carrier headquartered in Ambridge, PA, hauling flatbed freight across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Its ESOP structure fuels a drivers-first culture, and its dense regional lane network makes it a go-to for shippers moving freight through Pittsburgh, Erie, and the surrounding industrial belt.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Ambridge, PA |
| Services | Flatbed, frac sand, dry van, intermodal/drayage |
| Coverage | Regional lanes across PA, Ohio, and West Virginia |
Landstar System
Landstar runs on an owner-operator model, giving it one of the largest and most flexible open-deck networks in the country. This structure lets it scale into Pennsylvania's industrial centers whenever local capacity tightens.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Jacksonville, FL |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | 8,514 BCO-supplied trucks; 17,426 total trailers, including flatbed, step deck, lowboy, and multi-axle |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, expedited, project cargo |
Daseke, Inc. (TFI International)
Now operating under TFI International following a 2024 acquisition, Daseke remains one of the largest flatbed and specialized fleets in North America. Its equipment diversity supports Pennsylvania's heavy industry, from steel coils to oversized machinery.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Montreal, QC (TFI International parent) |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | Approximately 4,900 tractors and 11,000 flatbed/specialized trailers at acquisition; now reported jointly under TFI's Specialized TL segment |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, LTL, warehousing |
Bennett International Group
The Bennett Family of Companies has decades of flatbed and open-deck experience with a strong Northeast lane presence. Its multi-company structure bundles flatbed transport, brokerage, and warehousing under one family-owned umbrella.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | McDonough, GA |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | 450+ pieces of super-heavy-haul equipment, plus spread-axle flatbeds, stretch flats, and multi-axle RGNs |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, hazmat, warehousing, brokerage |
Melton Truck Lines
Melton pairs deep flatbed and step-deck expertise with repeat recognition on the industry's Quest for Quality list. Its cross-border reach into Canada and Mexico also supports Pennsylvania shippers with export-heavy freight.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Tulsa, OK |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | Flatbed and step-deck equipment; exact current counts not publicly disclosed |
| Services | Flatbed, cross-border, heavy specialized, brokerage |
Maverick USA
Maverick specializes in open-deck and RGN trailers built for heavy and oversized freight, a strong match for Pennsylvania's steel and glass industries. Its extensive RGN fleet handles the kind of heavy machinery shipments common across the state's manufacturing base.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | North Little Rock, AR |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | 1,600+ trucks; flatbed, glass, and marine transport capability |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, dedicated, brokerage |
PS Logistics
PS Logistics has grown quickly as an asset-based flatbed and 3PL provider with a young, frequently rotated fleet. That equipment turnover translates into fewer breakdowns and more reliability on long-haul Pennsylvania freight.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Birmingham, AL |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | 5,433 trucks and 8,966 trailers, including 48-foot flatbeds and Conestogas |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, brokerage, temperature-controlled |
System Transport
System Transport has built a reputation on a young fleet and dedicated regional and long-haul lanes. Its 2.5-year average truck age and specialized commercial-glass flatbed capability make it particularly useful for Pennsylvania's construction sector.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cheney, WA |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | Commercial-glass flatbeds, single-drop, double-drop, and Conestoga configurations; average truck age 2.5 years |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, dedicated |
Western Express
Western Express operates a large combined dry van and flatbed fleet with notably young equipment. That scale and freshness support reliable capacity flowing into Pennsylvania from Southeast and Midwest lanes.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Nashville, TN |
| Fleet & Trailer Variety | 3,300+ power units and 9,000+ trailers |
| Services | Flatbed, heavy specialized, dry van, dedicated |
Asset Carrier or Freight Broker? How to Choose the Right Flatbed Partner in PA
Picking a flatbed partner based on fleet size alone is a common mistake. A carrier with 5,000 trailers doesn't help you if none of them are the RGN, step deck, or Conestoga your commodity needs.
Match Equipment to Your Commodity
Before anything else, confirm the carrier's trailer mix aligns with what you're shipping:
- RGN or lowboy for tall or heavy machinery that needs a low deck height
- Step deck for taller freight that exceeds standard flatbed clearance
- Conestoga for freight that needs weather protection without a dry van
Verify Safety Practices
Open-deck loads carry real risk from improper securement. Before tendering freight, check:
- CSA scores through FMCSA's Safety Measurement System
- Driver experience minimums, especially for oversized or permitted loads
- Securement training records and load-specific certifications
Weigh Lane Density and Technology
A carrier with terminals near your pickup and delivery points responds faster and cuts deadhead costs. On the technology side, look for GPS tracking, load visibility portals, and TMS integration that keep you informed without constant phone calls.
The Asset-Carrier vs. Broker Trade-Off
Direct carriers give you fixed, predictable capacity. Freight brokers give you flexible access to a much larger network when demand spikes or a single carrier can't cover a lane.
Sims Global Solutions addresses this trade-off directly. Rather than relying on one carrier's fleet, Sims connects shippers to a network of 150,000+ carriers, backed by 24/7 support and a proprietary SimsTrak TMS for real-time visibility.
For Pennsylvania shippers, that network access means scalable flatbed capacity without betting everything on a single provider. It can be the difference between a load that ships on time and one that sits.
Conclusion
The right flatbed partner is the one whose equipment, safety record, and lane coverage actually match your freight, regardless of company size or revenue.
Pennsylvania's mix of steel, energy, and construction shippers all have different needs, and what works for a Marcellus Shale operator won't necessarily work for a construction materials supplier. Keep reassessing carrier performance and cost as your shipping needs shift.
If your direct carrier options can't keep up with demand, Sims Global Solutions offers a brokerage alternative with access to 150,000+ vetted carriers and its own heavy-haul fleet, built to scale with you across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is flatbed trucking used for?
Flatbed trucking moves oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped freight, such as steel, machinery, and construction materials, that can't fit inside an enclosed trailer. It's a staple for industries where crews load cargo from the top or sides.
How much does flatbed shipping cost in Pennsylvania?
Costs vary based on distance, weight, permits, and equipment type. Get a direct quote for accurate pricing on your specific shipment.
What industries in Pennsylvania rely most on flatbed trucking?
Steel, construction, energy (particularly Marcellus Shale), and manufacturing are the state's top flatbed users. These sectors regularly ship freight too large or heavy for standard enclosed trailers.
Should I hire a flatbed carrier directly or use a freight broker?
Direct carriers work well for consistent, predictable lanes with steady volume, while brokers add flexibility and broader capacity access during demand spikes. Hybrid providers like Sims Global Solutions combine an owned heavy-haul fleet with a 150,000+ carrier network to cover both scenarios.
What certifications or credentials should a flatbed trucking company have?
Look for active DOT operating authority, adequate insurance coverage, and strong CSA safety scores. These three checks form the baseline of any carrier vetting process.
How do I get a flatbed shipping quote for a Pennsylvania shipment?
Contact a carrier or broker with your freight details, including weight, dimensions, and pickup/delivery locations. Most providers can turn around a quote quickly once they have that information.
